SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #2411 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

JEJUNE

Possible Answers:

Obscure

Chronic

Uninteresting

Scintillating

Instantaneous

Correct answer:

Uninteresting

Explanation:

"Jejune" means dull, dry, and "uninteresting." This is an antonym for "scintillating," or fascinating. "Obscure" means unsure or uncertain, and "chronic" means persistent or long-standing. "Instantaneous" is a synonym for "immediate."

Example Question #2412 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

EXTEMPORANEOUS

Possible Answers:

Fatuous

Rehearsed

Impromptu

Inane

Contemporary

Correct answer:

Impromptu

Explanation:

"Extemporaneous" means unrehearsed, "impromptu." This is an antonym for "rehearsed." "Contemporary" means current or occurring at the same time as something else. "Fatuous" means silly, stupid, or inane.

Example Question #2413 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

THWARTED

Possible Answers:

Tangential

Foiled

Aromatic

Nascent

Sluggish

Correct answer:

Foiled

Explanation:

To "thwart" a plan is to foil or ruin it. "Sluggish" means lethargic or listless. "Aromatic" is a synonym for "fragrant," and "nascent" is a synonym for "new," not fully formed. Another word for "tangential" is peripheral.

Example Question #2414 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

REPREHENSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Jejune

Frigid

Arcane

Detestable

Abstruse

Correct answer:

Detestable

Explanation:

Something "reprehensible" is loathsome or "detestable." "Frigid" means very cold, and "jejune" means dull or uninteresting. "Arcane" and "abstruse" are both synonyms for "esoteric."

Example Question #2415 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PEJORATIVE

Possible Answers:

Extemporaneous

Ephemeral

Defamatory

Baronial

Elusive

Correct answer:

Defamatory

Explanation:

Something "pejorative" is negative, "defamatory," deprecatory. "Baronial" means grand and stately. "Ephemeral" is a synonym for "short-lived" or fleeting. "Extemporaneous" is a synonym for "improvised." "Elusive" means difficult to catch or find.

Example Question #2416 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MANIFOLD

Possible Answers:

Sundry

Ebullient

Venal

Nominal

Incumbent

Correct answer:

Sundry

Explanation:

The adjective "manifold" means diverse, containing a lot of variety. This is closest in definition to "sundry" which means of several distinct kinds, of several varieties. Additionally, "ebullient" means enthusiastic; "incumbent" means obligatory, has to be done, required; "venal" means corrupt and wicked; "nominal" means insignificant, of little importance.

Example Question #2417 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PLEONASTIC

Possible Answers:

Heinous

Exotic

Wordy

Quirky

Specious

Correct answer:

Wordy

Explanation:

"Pleonastic" means overly "wordy," verbose. "Heinous" is a synonym for "atrocious," and "specious" is a synonym for "misleadingly plausible." "Quirky" means idiosyncratic or strange, and "exotic" means foreign or strange.

Example Question #2418 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SUBLIMINAL

Possible Answers:

Subconscious

Outlandish

Medical

Exorbitant

Borderline

Correct answer:

Subconscious

Explanation:

"Subliminal" means subconscious, beneath the surface of the working mind. "Borderline" means on the edges, peripheral. "Outlandish" means bizarre and weird. "Exorbitant" is a synonym for "excessive," and "medical" is the adjective form of "medicine."

Example Question #2419 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

AILING

Possible Answers:

Subversive

Ill

Penniless

Treasonous

Repellent

Correct answer:

Ill

Explanation:

"Ailing" means "ill," in poor health. "Treasonous" is a synonym for "treacherous." "Repellent" is a synonym for "disgusting" or revolting. "Subversive" means rebellious or intended to overthrow a government. "Penniless" is another word for "impoverished."

Example Question #2420 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FORESTALLED

Possible Answers:

Elderly

Preempted

Commodious

Failed

Nautical

Correct answer:

Preempted

Explanation:

To "forestall" something is to preempt or prevent it. This is different from outright failure, so "forestalled" and "failed" are not synonyms. Another word for "elderly" is geriatric, and another word for "nautical" is maritime. "Commodious" means capacious or spacious.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors